Tweed and Coffs vie for Rally

THE push is on to stage a Rally Australia event on the North Coast again in 2013.

Former Tweed mayor Kevin Skinner said council was awaiting the cost-benefits analysis from September's rally in Coffs Harbour, with a view to bidding again to host the event, running from Kyogle to Tweed Heads.

The event, which is held every two years, was staged near Coffs Harbour this year after protests in the Tweed in 2009 led to organisers abandoning the area.

Cr Skinner won support at last week's council meeting for a report to be brought to councillors showing the economic impact of the World Rally Championship in Coffs Harbour this year, compared to the rally held in Tweed Shire in 2009.

"I think if the economic comparison shows it's a viable thing here, that's something we need to discuss in council," he said.

Cr Skinner said moving sections of the rally away from sensitive areas such as Byrrill Creek towards Kyogle wouldn't present any prob- lems and he felt organisers could be lured back.

Kyogle Mayor Ross Brown said he had always backed the rally but now had reservations.

"Speaking personally, I believe the Kyogle community was treated appallingly by both the State Government and the rally organisers in 2009," he said.

"We would have to think long and hard before committing again."

Coffs Harbour Mayor Keith Rhoades said this year's Rally Australia event was an outstanding success, with the majority of the community supporting the rally.

"We are hoping to get it back in 2013 from New Zealand," he said.

The cost-benefit analysis of the recent Coffs event is still being compiled by Destination New South Wales.